During our Contemporary Fiction unit at the end of the year, we will be reading novels and writing responses to various prompts developed from quotes from the text.
You may choose to write a fictional, biographical, or autobiographical narrative, essay, or poem.
If you are not engaged by any prompt in particular, you are permitted to respond to another quote that may have leapt off the page to you or to reflect on something personal. There are some quotes without prompts; feel free to respond to them if you so desire. If you find yourself uninspired by any of the prompts and are unable to find a quote or topic about which to write on your own, you are welcome to go back to a previous section's prompts/quotes and choose from there as well. The goal is to write in response to some motif, theme, or emotion from your experience with the text.
“It sounds like he ate a dictionary and started vomiting up words at random.” (40) Write a fictional conversation that could happen directly before or after this line.
“Rage flooded through Clary, a hot tide through her veins.” (45) What kinds of things could prompt such a rage in you? Write a description of of how rage feels in your body, or write a narrative about a time when you felt such rage.
“The taste was sharp and coppery on her tongue like old pennies.” (88) Write a short story that ends with this line.
“Most myths are true, at least in part.” (101) Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Write a reflective essay exploring this.
“The most terrible things men do, they do in the name of love.” (106) Write a short story in which the main character does something in the name of love that most would consider awful. The challenge: write it in such a way as to develop sympathy for the character.
“We always have choices.” (112) Write a poem about choices. OR Write a narrative about a time when you didn’t feel like you had any choices.
“The past is the past.” (126) Why is the past so difficult for some people to let go of? Write a reflective essay that explores the impact the past has on the present and/or the future. OR Write a short story in which you personify the Past that explains why it keeps reaching to the present.
“A trembling had started in Clary’s fingers, so pronounced that she knitted her hands together tightly to try to stop them.” (126) Write a short story in which the protagonist experiences this. OR Write a personal narrative about a time when you felt such trembling.
“Suddenly there was something feral behind his eyes, something vicious and cold.” (129) Write a short story that begins with this line.
“Sometimes, when Jocelyn was really angry about something or was in one of her upset moods, she would get what Clary called ‘scary-calm.’ It was a calm that made Clary think of the deceptive hard sheen of ice just before it cracked under your weight.” (132) Write a story about someone who is experiencing “scary-calm” from the first person point of view. OR Write a poem about anger that explores the different levels one can feel.
“He always says exactly what comes into his head. No filters.” (132) Do you think filters are important? Why or why not? Write a personal reflection essay that explores your opinion about filtering our thoughts. OR Write a short story about someone who doesn’t filter and the possible consequences, good or bad, that might occur.
“Come to think of it, maybe that was everyone’s type.” (136) Do you believe everyone has a type? What kinds of things influence the creation of that type? Write a story about the laws of attraction.
“ ‘There’s something about you that’s so - ‘ ‘Irritating?’ ‘Unsettling.’ “ (140) Who in your life would you consider to be unsettling? Write a description of them, without using his/her name, that explains what it is about him/her that unsettles you.
“Shadows had gathered thickly in the corners.” (141) Write a story that ends with this line.
“ ‘It smells like...’ Springtime, she thought, before the heat comes and crushes the leaves into pulp and withers the petals off the flowers.” (142) What do the seasons smell like to you? Write a description of each season using vivid imagery.
“The gas lamps were lit in the library, and the polished oak surfaces of the furniture seemed to smolder like somber jewels.” (144) Write a story that begins with this line.
“ ‘ Dear God,’ said Jace, ‘the dread hour is nigh.’” (151) Write a story that ends with a character saying this.
“‘He’ll tell you horrible truths, but he won’t lie.’” (152) Should the truth always be told, regardless of the outcomes? Why or why not? Write a reflective essay in which you explore the importance of truth. OR Write a poem about truth without using the word or any variation in it.
“‘Then you’ll see the world as it is - infinite,’” (172) When Jace explains the difference between the mundane world and that of the Nephilim, he uses the above description - it is rather eye-opening to see it all. There are many who posit the existence of alternate realities, multiple dimensions, etc. Do you believe in such things? Why or why not? Write a reflective essay that explores such things. OR Write a short story about someone who travels between the two (or three or four or how ever many you want).
“‘Only people with no purpose are unhappy’” (174) How does a sense of purpose create happiness? Write a reflective essay in which you explore this. OR Write a poem about purpose or happiness.
“The descent into Hell is easy.” (179) Write a poem that begins with this line.
“Something about Jace sharpened him [Alec], brought him into focus.” (191) Who in your life brings you into focus? Without using any names, write a descriptive vignette about how s/he does so.
“‘You tell me the truth, and I’ll either understand it or I won’t.’” (201) Many would argue that the truth is the truth and context doesn’t matter. However, many would also argue that examining facts in their proper context often changes their meaning. On which side do you fall? Write a reflective essay in which you explore the nature of truth. OR Write a split scene: the first describes the facts, the second provides the context.
“It is easier to confront a threat as a mass, a group, not individuals who must be evaluated one by one.” (201) In this quote, Lucian is talking about the feelings the Nephilim have toward Downworlders, but many could argue this is the same concept as blacks vs. whites, Christian vs. atheist (or any religion vs. another), etc. Do you agree with him? Why or why not? Write a reflective essay that explores the ease with which we stereotype OR write a poem about stereotyping OR write a short story about the struggle involved in “evaluating one by one.”
“‘Ah, the unquiet mind’” (203) Write a short story that begins with this line. OR Write a poem that ends with it.
“...to love is to destroy, and that to be loved is to be the one destroyed.” (206) In the context of the novel, this belief resulted a rather dysfunctional upbringing, but on some level, could this be true metaphorically? Explore this possibility through an essay, a poem, or short story.
“‘But you have to learn to bend a little…. or you’ll break.’” (207) Write a short story about a character who does not realize this and ends up “breaking.” OR Write a poem about someone who bends too far.
“voice was honey poured over shards of ice” (223) Write a short story that begins with this line.
“she felt the words like a blow against her heart.” (225) Write about a time when you felt someone’s words this way OR when you realized your words felt this way to someone else. OR Write a poem about the power of words.
“‘Every teenager in the world feels like that, feels broken or out of place, different somehow, royalty mistakenly born into a family of peasants.’” (230) Write a personal narrative about a time you felt this way OR Write a short story from the perspective of an adult you know as a teenager experiencing this.
“They say that pity is a bitter thing, but it’s better than hate.” (230) Write a split poem in which one stanza focuses on pity, and the next on hate, and so on and so forth.
“‘I just want to be who I really am’” (231) Write a personal essay that begins with this line.
“‘All knowledge hurts.’” (232) Write a short story that ends with this line. OR Write a poem that begins with it.
“‘If you insist on disavowing that which is ugly about what you do,’ said Magnus, still looking at Alec, ‘you will never learn from your mistakes.’” (234) Why is it important to admit the mistakes we make? The imperfections we have? Write a personal narrative about a time you did just that and learned from it.
“Life stretches out very long when you never see the sunlight, chico.” (262) If you had the opportunity to live forever, would you? Why or why not? Write a reflective essay OR write a short story about someone faced with that choice.
“...as if there were no empty space he could not fill with his belief in his own invincibility.” (300) At one point or another in our lives, most people would admit to feeling invincible. Write about a time when you felt this way. OR Write a poem about invincibility. OR Write a short story about a character who believes this only to discover that s/he is quite vulnerable after all.
“‘Half of your attention is better than all of anyone else’s.’” (302) Is there someone in your life toward whom you feel this way? Write a descriptive vignette about him/her. OR Do you think this it is possible to be happy in a relationship in which one person is only half-present? Why or why not? WRite a reflective essay.
“‘It will always bring you light.’” (312) Write a poem about the “it” in this sentence without naming it.
“The moon, directly overhead now, lit everything nearly to daylight brightness.” (314) Write a story that ends with this line.
“Words were weapons.” (324) Explore the power of words through one of the following: a reflective essay, a poem, or a short story in which language is the narrator.
“‘Where there is feeling that is not requited,’ said Hodge, ‘there is an imbalance of power. It is an imbalance that is easy to exploit, but it is not a wise course. Where there is love, there is often also hate. They can exist side by side.’” (333) Explore the symbiotic relationship between love and hate: write a short story about this imbalance of power OR write a personal narrative about a time when you experienced unrequited affection (either as the giver or the receiver) OR write a script in which Love and Hate are the speakers.
“‘But she did love him,’ Clary said, speaking aloud without realizing it. ‘It just wasn’t the same way he loved her. Isn’t that enough?’” (335) Is that enough? Why or why not? Write a reflective essay or short story or poem that explores the different kinds of love and how compatible they are or are not.
“Threaded beams of sunlight were burning away the remnants of mist, and the puddles on the sidewalk were drying.” (340) Write a scene that either begins with this line or ends with it.
“‘Seeing through glamour is easy. It’s people that are hard.’” (340) Write a short story about a person who can see through all of the defense mechanisms/metaphorical masks people wear easily - do you think his/her life would be easier or more difficult?
“‘We all see what we want to see’” (340) Write a short story that begins with this line..OR Write a reflective essay about how this is or is not true.
“Power thrummed through it, like blood through living veins.” (349) Write a short story that ends with this line.
“‘Drive like hell was following you.’” (359) Write a poem that begins with this line.
“‘the moral absolutism of the young, which allows for no concessions.’” (374) Many people will concede that as they age, what was once black and white begins to have shades of gray. Why do you think it changes? Write a reflective essay that explores this OR Write a poem about a moral absolute you think will never change in your mind OR Write a short story about the experience that causes someone to challenge a particularly strong belief.
“The beginning of a thought tickled at the edge of her mind, wanting to resolve itself into a full-blown realization.” (408) Write about a time in your life when this happened to you.
“‘The stench of death lies heavy on the air’” (418) Write a story that begins with this line.
“there was anticipation in the narrow edge of his tone.” (423) Write a story that ends with this line.
“You cannot save others until you first save yourself.” (469) Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Write an essay explaining. OR Write a short story in which the main character/narrator is watching a character struggle to figure this out.
“‘Not everything that’s true needs to be said.’” (478) Write a short story that ends with this line. OR Write about a time when you realized this for yourself.
Cassandra Clare
During our Contemporary Fiction unit at the end of the year, we will be reading novels and writing responses to various prompts developed from quotes from the text.
You may choose to write a fictional, biographical, or autobiographical narrative, essay, or poem.
If you are not engaged by any prompt in particular, you are permitted to respond to another quote that may have leapt off the page to you or to reflect on something personal. There are some quotes without prompts; feel free to respond to them if you so desire. If you find yourself uninspired by any of the prompts and are unable to find a quote or topic about which to write on your own, you are welcome to go back to a previous section's prompts/quotes and choose from there as well. The goal is to write in response to some motif, theme, or emotion from your experience with the text.
“It sounds like he ate a dictionary and started vomiting up words at random.” (40)
Write a fictional conversation that could happen directly before or after this line.
“Rage flooded through Clary, a hot tide through her veins.” (45)
What kinds of things could prompt such a rage in you? Write a description of of how rage feels in your body, or write a narrative about a time when you felt such rage.
“The taste was sharp and coppery on her tongue like old pennies.” (88)
Write a short story that ends with this line.
“Most myths are true, at least in part.” (101)
Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Write a reflective essay exploring this.
“The most terrible things men do, they do in the name of love.” (106)
Write a short story in which the main character does something in the name of love that most would consider awful. The challenge: write it in such a way as to develop sympathy for the character.
“We always have choices.” (112)
Write a poem about choices. OR Write a narrative about a time when you didn’t feel like you had any choices.
“The past is the past.” (126)
Why is the past so difficult for some people to let go of? Write a reflective essay that explores the impact the past has on the present and/or the future. OR Write a short story in which you personify the Past that explains why it keeps reaching to the present.
“A trembling had started in Clary’s fingers, so pronounced that she knitted her hands together tightly to try to stop them.” (126)
Write a short story in which the protagonist experiences this. OR Write a personal narrative about a time when you felt such trembling.
“Suddenly there was something feral behind his eyes, something vicious and cold.” (129)
Write a short story that begins with this line.
“Sometimes, when Jocelyn was really angry about something or was in one of her upset moods, she would get what Clary called ‘scary-calm.’ It was a calm that made Clary think of the deceptive hard sheen of ice just before it cracked under your weight.” (132)
Write a story about someone who is experiencing “scary-calm” from the first person point of view. OR Write a poem about anger that explores the different levels one can feel.
“He always says exactly what comes into his head. No filters.” (132)
Do you think filters are important? Why or why not? Write a personal reflection essay that explores your opinion about filtering our thoughts. OR Write a short story about someone who doesn’t filter and the possible consequences, good or bad, that might occur.
“Come to think of it, maybe that was everyone’s type.” (136)
Do you believe everyone has a type? What kinds of things influence the creation of that type? Write a story about the laws of attraction.
“ ‘There’s something about you that’s so - ‘
‘Irritating?’
‘Unsettling.’ “ (140)
Who in your life would you consider to be unsettling? Write a description of them, without using his/her name, that explains what it is about him/her that unsettles you.
“Shadows had gathered thickly in the corners.” (141)
Write a story that ends with this line.
“ ‘It smells like...’ Springtime, she thought, before the heat comes and crushes the leaves into pulp and withers the petals off the flowers.” (142)
What do the seasons smell like to you? Write a description of each season using vivid imagery.
“The gas lamps were lit in the library, and the polished oak surfaces of the furniture seemed to smolder like somber jewels.” (144)
Write a story that begins with this line.
“ ‘ Dear God,’ said Jace, ‘the dread hour is nigh.’” (151)
Write a story that ends with a character saying this.
“‘He’ll tell you horrible truths, but he won’t lie.’” (152)
Should the truth always be told, regardless of the outcomes? Why or why not? Write a reflective essay in which you explore the importance of truth. OR Write a poem about truth without using the word or any variation in it.
“‘Then you’ll see the world as it is - infinite,’” (172)
When Jace explains the difference between the mundane world and that of the Nephilim, he uses the above description - it is rather eye-opening to see it all. There are many who posit the existence of alternate realities, multiple dimensions, etc. Do you believe in such things? Why or why not? Write a reflective essay that explores such things. OR Write a short story about someone who travels between the two (or three or four or how ever many you want).
“‘Only people with no purpose are unhappy’” (174)
How does a sense of purpose create happiness? Write a reflective essay in which you explore this. OR Write a poem about purpose or happiness.
“The descent into Hell is easy.” (179)
Write a poem that begins with this line.
“Something about Jace sharpened him [Alec], brought him into focus.” (191)
Who in your life brings you into focus? Without using any names, write a descriptive vignette about how s/he does so.
“‘You tell me the truth, and I’ll either understand it or I won’t.’” (201)
Many would argue that the truth is the truth and context doesn’t matter. However, many would also argue that examining facts in their proper context often changes their meaning. On which side do you fall? Write a reflective essay in which you explore the nature of truth. OR Write a split scene: the first describes the facts, the second provides the context.
“It is easier to confront a threat as a mass, a group, not individuals who must be evaluated one by one.” (201)
In this quote, Lucian is talking about the feelings the Nephilim have toward Downworlders, but many could argue this is the same concept as blacks vs. whites, Christian vs. atheist (or any religion vs. another), etc. Do you agree with him? Why or why not? Write a reflective essay that explores the ease with which we stereotype OR write a poem about stereotyping OR write a short story about the struggle involved in “evaluating one by one.”
“‘Ah, the unquiet mind’” (203)
Write a short story that begins with this line. OR Write a poem that ends with it.
“...to love is to destroy, and that to be loved is to be the one destroyed.” (206)
In the context of the novel, this belief resulted a rather dysfunctional upbringing, but on some level, could this be true metaphorically? Explore this possibility through an essay, a poem, or short story.
“‘But you have to learn to bend a little…. or you’ll break.’” (207)
Write a short story about a character who does not realize this and ends up “breaking.” OR Write a poem about someone who bends too far.
“voice was honey poured over shards of ice” (223)
Write a short story that begins with this line.
“she felt the words like a blow against her heart.” (225)
Write about a time when you felt someone’s words this way OR when you realized your words felt this way to someone else. OR Write a poem about the power of words.
“‘Every teenager in the world feels like that, feels broken or out of place, different somehow, royalty mistakenly born into a family of peasants.’” (230)
Write a personal narrative about a time you felt this way OR Write a short story from the perspective of an adult you know as a teenager experiencing this.
“They say that pity is a bitter thing, but it’s better than hate.” (230)
Write a split poem in which one stanza focuses on pity, and the next on hate, and so on and so forth.
“‘I just want to be who I really am’” (231)
Write a personal essay that begins with this line.
“‘All knowledge hurts.’” (232)
Write a short story that ends with this line. OR Write a poem that begins with it.
“‘If you insist on disavowing that which is ugly about what you do,’ said Magnus, still looking at Alec, ‘you will never learn from your mistakes.’” (234)
Why is it important to admit the mistakes we make? The imperfections we have? Write a personal narrative about a time you did just that and learned from it.
“Life stretches out very long when you never see the sunlight, chico.” (262)
If you had the opportunity to live forever, would you? Why or why not? Write a reflective essay OR write a short story about someone faced with that choice.
“...as if there were no empty space he could not fill with his belief in his own invincibility.” (300)
At one point or another in our lives, most people would admit to feeling invincible. Write about a time when you felt this way. OR Write a poem about invincibility. OR Write a short story about a character who believes this only to discover that s/he is quite vulnerable after all.
“‘Half of your attention is better than all of anyone else’s.’” (302)
Is there someone in your life toward whom you feel this way? Write a descriptive vignette about him/her. OR Do you think this it is possible to be happy in a relationship in which one person is only half-present? Why or why not? WRite a reflective essay.
“‘It will always bring you light.’” (312)
Write a poem about the “it” in this sentence without naming it.
“The moon, directly overhead now, lit everything nearly to daylight brightness.” (314)
Write a story that ends with this line.
“Words were weapons.” (324)
Explore the power of words through one of the following: a reflective essay, a poem, or a short story in which language is the narrator.
“‘Where there is feeling that is not requited,’ said Hodge, ‘there is an imbalance of power. It is an imbalance that is easy to exploit, but it is not a wise course. Where there is love, there is often also hate. They can exist side by side.’” (333)
Explore the symbiotic relationship between love and hate: write a short story about this imbalance of power OR write a personal narrative about a time when you experienced unrequited affection (either as the giver or the receiver) OR write a script in which Love and Hate are the speakers.
“‘But she did love him,’ Clary said, speaking aloud without realizing it. ‘It just wasn’t the same way he loved her. Isn’t that enough?’” (335)
Is that enough? Why or why not? Write a reflective essay or short story or poem that explores the different kinds of love and how compatible they are or are not.
“Threaded beams of sunlight were burning away the remnants of mist, and the puddles on the sidewalk were drying.” (340)
Write a scene that either begins with this line or ends with it.
“‘Seeing through glamour is easy. It’s people that are hard.’” (340)
Write a short story about a person who can see through all of the defense mechanisms/metaphorical masks people wear easily - do you think his/her life would be easier or more difficult?
“‘We all see what we want to see’” (340)
Write a short story that begins with this line..OR Write a reflective essay about how this is or is not true.
“Power thrummed through it, like blood through living veins.” (349)
Write a short story that ends with this line.
“‘Drive like hell was following you.’” (359)
Write a poem that begins with this line.
“‘the moral absolutism of the young, which allows for no concessions.’” (374)
Many people will concede that as they age, what was once black and white begins to have shades of gray. Why do you think it changes? Write a reflective essay that explores this OR Write a poem about a moral absolute you think will never change in your mind OR Write a short story about the experience that causes someone to challenge a particularly strong belief.
“The beginning of a thought tickled at the edge of her mind, wanting to resolve itself into a full-blown realization.” (408)
Write about a time in your life when this happened to you.
“‘The stench of death lies heavy on the air’” (418)
Write a story that begins with this line.
“there was anticipation in the narrow edge of his tone.” (423)
Write a story that ends with this line.
“You cannot save others until you first save yourself.” (469)
Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Write an essay explaining. OR Write a short story in which the main character/narrator is watching a character struggle to figure this out.
“‘Not everything that’s true needs to be said.’” (478)
Write a short story that ends with this line. OR Write about a time when you realized this for yourself.